Bonus point wins for nearest rivals Llanelli and Bridgend together with this beating 47 – 24 by Ebbw Vale leaves Brynley Toms and his Bedwas teammates hopes of survival hanging by a very slim thread.
Bedwas wilted in the second half sunshine as the hosts powered past them in a ruthless display to rack up a bonus point win.
Bedwas started well and scored the first points of the afternoon via a Joe Scrivens penalty after Ebbw were penalized at a scrum. Ebbw’s response was quick and decisive as left wing Stefan Thomas crossed for a try, Rhys Jones’ conversion hit an upright and bounced out.
Bedwas hit back through lock forward who barged has way over from close range to dot down on the touchline, the assistant referee awarding the try with the referee unable to see the grounding. Scrivens added the extras to increase the lead.
Defenses held out for the next 18 minutes as both sides defended well but Ebbw finally broke through as pacy right winger Dafydd Howells ran through for a try converted by Jones. Ebbw began to dominate and just before half time center Paul King burst through for try converted by Jones for a score of 19 points to 10 at half time.
Bedwas hoped for an early score in the second half but the sin binning of Adam Williams for a high elbow gave the home side the numerical advantage which was exploited by loose head prop Luke Garrett crossing for his sides fourth and bonus point earning try. Rhys Jones added the extras.
Dafydd Howells’ second try of the afternoon, improved upon by Jones stretched the home lead further before Bedwas made a rash of substitutions between 53 and 59 minutes.
Fresh legs initially stemmed the flow before back replacement David Rubasniak added his sides 6th try of the afternoon again converted by Jones put the game safely into Ebbw hands. A seventh Ebbw try and a third from Dafydd Howells after 73 minutes converted by Ross Jones rubbed the salt into Bedwas wounds still further.
With five minutes to play Ebbw’s Rubasniak was sinbinned giving Bedwas hope that a late revival might at least earn a four try bonus point. These hopes were answered by Dale Rogers who crossed for a try converted by Jacob Chilcott.
Bedwas pressed for a third try and foul play saw Ebbw replacement prop Ross Jones sin binned and from a scrum the ball was quickly fed wide for Lewis Bowden to drift in for a try again converted by Chilcott.
Time was not on Bedwas’ side and efforts to clinch that valuable 4th try were beaten by the shrill blast of the referees whistle as he ended proceedings.
